-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It was n't so long ago that orange fell off the home decor color wheel . After a decade of being associated with popular appliance colors like `` avocado green '' and `` harvest gold '' -LRB- ah , the '70s -RRB- , orange became outdated and was quietly dropped from the roster .

But , as Mark Woodman , the president of the Color Marketing Group points out , a color as bold as orange is never gone for good . -LRB- He should know . The Color Marketing Group forecasts the colors major industries , manufacturers and services will use one to three years in advance . -RRB-

In recent home decor trends such as `` modern global '' and the Chinoiserie revival , orange has been a key player in shades of pumpkin , cinnabar , terra cotta , vermillion and coral .

`` The beauty of orange is its energetic appeal in almost all of its values , '' Woodman said . Especially in its brighter spectrum , orange is considered fun , upbeat and unique , he said .

But even as colors come and go in popular use -LRB- orange is already beginning to cycle down in popularity , with cooler blues taking the forefront in design and color news -RRB- , orange always comes to mind as the weather cools down .

`` Fall decorating will often take its clues from the natural world , '' Woodman said . `` As leaves change color , we are introduced to a collection of reds , browns , golds and , of course , oranges . Of them all , the orange seems most to be the last vestige of summer joy . So it becomes a bridge color , hovering between the golds and browns with a hint of the past season marrying the coming season . ''

Perhaps it wo n't be so easy to let go of our orange decor as fabric and furniture trends continue to evolve , Woodman said .

While orange is the natural complement to the brand new blues soon to be seen in the home furnishing aisles of major retailers , the real future of the hue , Woodman said , is metallic : Think `` copper . ''

`` It is poised to be the metal to embrace in coming years and will keep orange alive , '' he said .

`` In the end , orange has been embraced by so many that we wo n't want to see it go , '' Woodman said . `` It may step back for a bit and become more subtle , but we will always want its bit of fun and energy . ''

Want to add orange to your home 's color palette ? Here are anecdotes and advice from this week 's Open House contributors :

Take inexpensive risks

`` If you 're afraid to use color in your home , choose an inexpensive way to add color like pillows or bedding . These things can be replaced -LRB- more -RRB- easily and effortlessly than , say , an expensive orange couch or chair . Using neutral elements like gray curtains and white walls gives a bold color a resting place so that the room is n't too overwhelming . It also keeps the look fresh . '' -- Holly Modica , Old Lyme , Connecticut

Less is more

`` Pair orange with cooler colors , and use it more as an accent to add a small dose . It also works well with metals : copper , gold and brass . With black or darker colors , orange can be a bit too ` heavy . ' '' -- Emily Clark , Charlotte , North Carolina

Mix it up

`` My husband loves bright orange , not the muted fall orange , because bright orange is represented in his school colors . I fell in love with the color , too , and wanted it somewhere else in our home . I love the combo of pink , gold and orange , and that 's what inspired me to paint the little box under our coffee table in that color combination . It is eye catching to say the least . While it 's not for everyone , I have to say that I love it . '' -- Julie Konya

Alicia Stewart contributed to this report .

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Orange was once a dreaded color for decorating , but it is making a comeback

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Color expert Mark Woodman : Orange is fun and denotes energy

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iReporter : `` Chose an inexpensive way to add color like pillows or bedding ''